The Quiapo church on Simbang Gabi.
MANILA: The traditional Simbang Gabi, which kicks off the country’s
Christmas season, starts today as the Filipino faithful flock to churches for
the dawn Mass.
Simbang Gabi, which ironically is celebrated at dawn, is a nine-day
event that runs from Dec 16 to 24. It marks the country’s unique Christmas
celebration described as the longest in the world.
From high-end communities to the remotest barrio, church bells ring at
exactly four every morning to call on the faithful to join a tradition that
dates back to 1587 in Mexico.
It was initiated by Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San
Agustin Acolman, who petitioned the Pope to allow the holding of Christmas Mass
outdoors to accommodate the huge number of people who crowded the church.
In 17th century, the Spanish conquistadores introduced the Christmas
Mass in the Philippines and this was quickly adapted by the Filipinos. The
tradition has hardly changed over the centuries.
Just like during the Spanish era, the Simbang Gabi is held in pre-dawn
hours to symbolize the actual time of the birth of Christ.
The dawn Masses were soon termed as Misa de Gallo, referring to the
crowing of the roosters.
In the early times, parish priests would even go around town and knock
on the doors of the faithful to wake them up for the Misa de Gallo.
The dawn Mass was said to be most convenient for the rural folk who
need to plow the fields or to catch fish before sunup. – Philstar
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